Veteran's Day, the day we commemorate the brave souls who fought for freedom. What freedom, you ask? Why the FCC's freedom to censor the broadcast media, of course.
Tonight ABC plans to air the brilliant film, Saving Private Ryan, as heroic epic as ever was. Problem is, there's some naughty words and a slaughterhouse worth of blood and guts contained therein. So, as of last report, some 35 ABC affiliates are declining to show the film, citing recent FCC actions to levy heavy fines on stations which air such language and violence. They tried to get permission from the FCC beforehand, but the agency demurred, saying they don't (get this) engage in censorship, they only respond to complaints. As Julian Sanchez aptly puts it:
See, they don't want to censor anybody, heavens no. So, in effect, they say: "Take your chances; we'll only tell you after the fact whether something you've aired will garner you a hefty fine." If, in light of that uncertainty, stations opt not to take any chances, well, the FCC can always say that was the stations' choice: They weren't "censoring" anybody.
My first thought was perhaps these stations were engaging in some political posturing, publicly demonstrating against the unfair manner the FCC judges broadcasts. A very appropriate protest, I should add. But no; there actually is a conservative group poised to file complaints against the stations which do broadcast the movie.
Anyway, I'm sure the fine folk down there at the FCC will thank our veterans profusely.
I'm really starting to hate the FCC.